Position is Job Grade 10

For more than 150 years, the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC) has been a leader in educating
the world’s most influential artists, designers and scholars. Located in downtown Chicago with a fine arts
graduate program consistently ranking among the top four graduate fine arts programs in the nation by
U.S. News and World Report, SAIC provides an interdisciplinary approach to art and design as well as
world-class resources, including the Art Institute of Chicago Museum, on-campus galleries and state-of-
the-art facilities. SAIC’s undergraduate, graduate and post-baccalaureate students have the freedom to
take risks and create the bold ideas that transform Chicago and the world—as seen through notable
alumni and faculty such as Michelle Grabner, David Sedaris, Elizabeth Murray, Richard Hunt, Georgia
O’Keeffe, Cynthia Rowley, Nick Cave, and LeRoy Neiman.

We offer a competitive, comprehensive benefits package:
Generous paid time off
Paid holidays (up to 14 days)
Medical, dental, and vision insurance
Generous parental, caregiver, and medical leave benefits
Competitive retirement plan (up to 9% matching contribution)
Tuition remission and Tuition Exchange Program
Great employee discounts
Complimentary general admission to participating cultural institutions

BASIC FUNCTION

Provide quality leadership and facilities management in the upkeep of facilities and equipment campus-wide. Manage campus services and small construction projects from planning through closeout. Participate in Capital & Facilities Renewal budgeting including facility and condition assessment, and project estimating. Work closely with Instructional Resource and Facility Management partners including Security, Engineering, Design & Construction, Shop and Media Center Facilities and Environmental Health, Safety & Sustainability. Work closely with the academic community including Campus Life, administrative directors, department technicians and managers, Exhibitions and Events, department heads, and faculty to maintain and improve the teaching and learning environment for the SAIC community. Direct the activities of the Assistant Director of Facilities, Campus Buildings and the Assistant Director of Facilities, Campus Services. Ensure the completion of work requests, classroom service requests, and housekeeping requests with an emphasis on safety and preventative maintenance. Act as a liaison between facility users and the Executive Director of Facilities Services.

PRIMARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

● Facilities Management & Campus Environment – Responsible for facilities oversight of campus buildings and grounds, ensuring that conditions and appearance are within SAIC standards of excellence. Provide direction to the Assistant Director of Facilities, Campus Buildings; the Assistant Director of Facilities, Campus Services; and the Facilities Managers in maintaining campus standards for both interior and exterior spaces.

● Project Management – Responsible for managing building services, maintenance and repair projects (i.e. residence hall move-in and move-out, summer/winter PMs, summer construction coordination, general small construction projects, HEPA cleaning, lighting replacements, metal polishing, flooring replacements, small-scale mechanical systems maintenance, and upgrades, etc). Coordinate and contract all work from planning to close-out. Work closely with the Design & Construction department to help facilitate large construction projects.

● Facilities Renewal & Capital Project Planning – Work closely with the Executive Director of Facilities Services to plan and oversee Facilities Renewal and Capital project needs. Perform condition assessments of campus facilities and systems to extend the life and retain the usable condition for items such as flooring, lighting, furniture, general interiors, and some mechanical systems.

● Staff Management & Supervision - Direct the daily activities of the Assistant Director of Facilities, Campus Buildings and the Assistant Director of Facilities, Campus Services. Provide leadership and direction to staff in the upkeep of facilities and equipment with an emphasis on operations, safety, maintenance, and repair. Maintain consistency of service and messaging throughout campus. Responsible for hiring, assigning/directing work, evaluating performance, and managing job duties and expectations.

● Specialized Facilities & Equipment – Responsible for the maintenance, consistency of operations, and upgrade needs of specialized facilities and equipment campus-wide. Spaces include the SAIC Ballroom, Sculpture Courtyard, Spray Booths, and messy work rooms. Work with academic departments to support department managed specialized spaces across campus.

● Campus Wayfinding and General Signage – Work with the Executive Director of Facilities Services to establish and maintain campus wayfinding standards. Oversee installation of campus signage and monitors for consistency. Direct and inform the Assistant Director of Facilities, Campus Buildings in the ongoing maintenance of campus signage needs.

● Customer Service – Work closely with the Executive Director of Facilities Services to establish standards for customer service. Responsible for communication and ensuring that these standards are upheld with the Assistant Director of Facilities, Campus Building; the Assistant Director of Campus Services; and the Facilities Managers. 

● Department & Community Liaison – Act as the Facilities representative to all SAIC departments, Central Administration, and the Museum. Respond to community needs, strategize responses, and delegate work as needed. Coordinate with City of Chicago organizations, such as the Loop Alliance; campus neighbors, such as Couch Place, and Broadway in Chicago to facilitate campus projects.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

 EDUCATION

Bachelor’s degree.

EXPERIENCE

Minimum of 5-10 years’ progressive experience in institutional facilities management, facilities services, classroom/office services, and operational services.

Experience leading facilities operations, facilities renewal and repair, establishing/maintaining campus standards, and coordination of small construction projects.

Experience working with vendors, conducting bid walkthroughs and communicating project goals and timelines.

Demonstrated experience as a confident and personable leader and supervisor.

SKILLS

• Comprehension and understanding of blueprints, space planning, design, construction, mechanical systems and classroom technology methodology and terminology.

• Demonstrated project management skills from project inception, scope planning, budgeting, estimating, execution, and completion.

• Ability to manage and coordinate multiple projects simultaneously, set priorities, and meet deadlines.

• Skilled at organizing, evaluating, and delegating project components to support team.

• Must operate effectively at both big picture and situation-specific levels

• Able to promote and support skill building and growth of supervised staff.

• Able to effectively evaluate team and staff performance, provide constructive feedback, and guide direction and improvement.

• Able to provide positive mentorship and to promote collaboration and cooperation among team members. Demonstrate an openness to thoughts and ideas of others. Skilled at conflict resolution.

• Thoughtful problem-solver and decision-maker. Adaptable to a changing environment.

• Must have excellent analytical, interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills

• Ability to communicate/translate/articulate operations, facilities, design, and construction concepts to staff, faculty, department heads, etc.

• Exceptional professionalism and customer service. Ability to work with all levels of students, faculty and staff in a unique environment. Ability to deal with difficult people and seek a positive outcome.

• Able to work independently with a high degree of initiative, conferring with leadership when appropriate.

• Proficiency with basic computer software (Word, Excel, Google Suite, graphics/presentation programs, etc.) Comfortable with learning new programs specific to facility needs.

ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION

The Art Institute of Chicago is an equal opportunity, equal access employer fully committed to achieving a diverse and inclusive workplace. We believe in a staff culture that benefits from a wide range of experience, backgrounds, and career paths, and we encourage nontraditional candidates to apply.

Closing Statement

The Art Institute of Chicago is an Equal Opportunity Employer that recruits, hires and promotes qualified individuals without regard to race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, ancestry, veteran status or citizenship. The Institute complies with federal and state disability laws and makes reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, please contact the Department of Human Resources at apply_help@artic.edu.